Despite the national decline in their numbers, Binfield seems to be a popular home for hedgehogs. A few of our members have been keeping an eye on them and the following is a summary of Gill and John Hudson’s hedgehog related adventures.
Gill and John’s garden is on the list of potential release sites registered with Herbie Hedgehog Rescue (https://www.herbiehedgehogrescue.com/) in Reading. They take in hedgehogs that have fallen into ponds, been injured or found out during the day, which indicates that the animal is poorly. As far as possible, hedgehogs should always be released where they were found. However, young hedgehogs do not have a territory to return to so it was possible that a hoglet could be released in Gill and John’s garden.
In August 2022, the Hudsons were given a young hedgehog called Sherman to release. After keeping him in the box in the garage until 9pm when it was fully dark, he was put in a hedgehog house in the garden. The hedgehog house already contained hay from his hutch so it had his unique smell. Sherman seemed happy with his new home and he was left to discover his new surroundings. A trail camera was placed nearby, along with some extra new hay in a flower pot on its side so that Sherman could add more and arrange his house as he wanted.
Sherman was seen almost every evening on the trail camera. Initially he was given kitten biscuits to help him gain weight for the winter. He grew quickly and now cat biscuits or hedgehog food are left out along with a saucer of water.
Sherman has now been joined by Rita. Rita was discovered in broad daylight looking for food for herself and her hoglet. Rita’s youngster was unwell and is still being looked after by Herbie Hedgehog Rescue. It is possible that the hoglet may be able to join Sherman and Rita in the spring.
Gill and John have also seen another hedgehog (with a distinctive dark patch on his prickles) visiting the garden. They have now made a second feeding station, sacrificing an old toy box to make into a double ended unit in case a fight breaks and a hedgehog needs to make a quick exit.
Gill says “We were so excited and honoured to be asked to release a hedgehog into our garden and it has brought us constant joy ever since”. If you want to know more about caring for hedgehogs then have a look at the Herbie Hedgehog Rescue website or the British Hedgehog Preservation Society website (https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/).
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